nt uses hot shooting to top charlotte

untwillrise · November 12, 2006

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (11/12/06) – Firing on all cylinders, the North Texas basketball team used a hot shooting day to blow out Charlotte 90-72 at Halton Arena.

North Texas came out of the gate firing, shooting 60 percent from the floor in the first half, leading by as much as 18 points over the 49ers. The Mean Green went into the locker room leading by nine, 44-35, on the strength of its perimeter shooting.

“I thought that we played a really great game,” said head coach Johnny Jones. “They did an excellent job of keeping their composure, and I thought everyone played really we tonight.”

Kendrick Davis, Ben Bell and Calvin Watson got the Mean Green going from beyond the arc. Led by the guard trio, North Texas hit eight of 11 threes in the half. Watson ranks seventh in school history in three point field goals made with 122.

Led by Davis’ 20 points, North Texas finished with five players in double figures. Rich Young had a career night by halftime and finished with 16, while Michael Sturns ended with 14, Watson with 13, and Bell with 11.

The Mean Green hit 13 threes against Charlotte. NT only topped that mark on only one occasions all of last season with 15 against Troy.

Michael Sturns continues to be a presence off the bench, pouring in 11 first-half points. The junior continued his hot shooting, making three of his four shots in the half. Sturns was 7 of 11 for 18 points in the season opener against Cameron.

The win is the program’s first over Charlotte and its’ first over an Atlantic 10 opponent. North Texas begins the season 2-0 for the first time since 1994-95.